PHILIPPINE SEA (March 30, 2016) Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship JS Akebono (DD 108) and guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) steam together during a group sail. Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, John C. Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andre T. Richard/Released)
PHILIPPINE SEA (March 29, 2016) A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force H-53 Helicopter lands on USS John C. Stennis' (CVN 74) flight deck. Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andre T. Richard & Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Cox/Released)
Interesting video:
Interesting video:
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Tokyo gears up for 50 X-2 flights in coming year
Japan envisages a one-year test campaign for the Mitsubishi X-2 technology demonstrator, with around 50 flights planned.
The aircraft’s 25min maiden flight from Nagoya on Friday 22 April saw it reach an altitude of 12,000ft and a top speed of 200kt (370km/h), says Hirofumi Doi, manager of Japan’s Future Fighter Program at the defence ministry’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA).
“It was a very ordinary maiden flight,” said Doi in an interview with Flightglobal. “The pilot just checked controllability and did some simulated landings while in the air.”
Post-flight feedback from the pilot indicates that the X-2 performed as expected. “He said that it will be a great airplane to fly,” says Doi.
The timing of the second sortie depends on weather conditions. During this flight, the aircraft will retract its landing gear and accelerate to higher speeds...... to read more
accidentally found an F-2 over Fuji